The Buccaneers Recap: Apple’s Vibrant Series Feels More Marie-Antoinette Than Bridgerton — Grade the Premiere!
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
The vibrant gowns and dreamy romances featured in The Buccaneers certainly give off serious Bridgerton vibes. But the modern soundtrack (featuring the Taylor Swift vault song “Nothing New”) and rebellious spirit make the new Apple TV+ series much more comparable to Sofia Coppola’s Marie-Antoinette.
Adapted from Pulitzer Prize winner Edith Wharton’s unfinished novel, The Buccaneers was written by series creator Katherine Jakeways (Tracey Ullman’s Show) and directed by Susanna White (Andor, The Deuce), who both executive-produce alongside Beth Willis (Doctor Who).
More from TVLine
The first three episodes — which were released on Wednesday — introduced a group of fun-loving American gals who disrupt the stuffy 1870s London scene with their refreshing disregard for longstanding traditions.
Among the colorful friend group is the free-spirited Conchita Closson (Alisha Boe), who struggled to fit in with her ultra-conservative in-laws after marrying Lord Richard Marable (Josh Dylan). Despite loving her vivacious personality, Richard urged Conchita to conform and become the traditional wife that his parents demanded. Conchita, however, was more determined to be herself.
Meanwhile, Nan St. George (Kristine Frøseth) found herself in an unexpected love triangle with Guy Thwarte (Matthew Broome), who she clicked with at Conchita’s wedding, and Theo (Guy Remmers), the handsome artist she agreed to marry and later learned was the prized Duke of Tintagel. And while she seems keen on wedding Theo, the question remains: Is she ready to be a Duchess?
In Episode 3, Nan’s younger sister Jinny (Imogen Waterhouse) eloped with the icy Lord James Seadown (Barney Fishwick), who is far worse than he appears. He ignored Jinny to make her jealous, manipulated Lizzy (Aubri Ibrag) into stripping naked on an upholstered bench while he creepily ogled her, and then proposed to Jinny — all in Episode 2. A walking barrel of red flags!!!
The show’s stacked ensemble also includes Christina Hendricks as Nan and Jinny’s mother Mrs. St. George, Josie Totah as Lizzy’s sister Mabel, and Mia Threapleton as Richard and James’ sister Honoria.
What did you think of the The Buccaneers’ first three episodes? Will you continue to watch? Grade the three-episode premiere below, and then share your opinions in the comments.
Best of TVLine
Get more from TVLine.com: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter
